How to install a rain diverter on your home's eave

Need to divert a little rain water fall from falling off of your roof? Let home improvement expert Danny Lipford show you how to install a rain diverter on your home's eave.

Nothing is more annoying than having to walk through a waterfall coming off your roof to reach the front door every time it rains. Fortunately, there’s an easy and inexpensive solution to the problem.

Rain diverters are available at most building supply stores including The Home Depot. They are easiest to install on asphalt roofing and consist of an “L” shaped piece of sheet metal that fits under the roofing above the entranceway.

First, cut the diverter about a foot longer on each side than the area you want to keep dry. Center the diverter over the area to be covered using a plumb bob or a string with a weight attached. Using a pry bar or putty knife, loosen the second row of shingles up from the edge of the roof where the diverter will be located. Slide the diverter under the shingles. Slant the diverter so that one side is slightly lower than the other to allow for drainage. A drop of 1” is plenty for a 6'diverter.

Carefully lift up the shingle tabs to keep from breaking them, and nail the diverter in place with roofing nails. Position the nails so they will be covered by the shingles and are a few inches up from the bottom edge of the overlapping shingles. Dab roofing cement on the nail heads, under each shingle tab, and in any gaps between the shingles to keep water from getting underneath the diverter. Press the shingles down to seal them back in place.

That’s all there is to it. Now you won’t get soaked on the way to the mailbox when it rains.

Be sure and clean behind the rain diverter from time to time to keep leaves and other debris from building up.